The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-25
Outsiders Do Most of the Talking, and Mem
bers of the Body Fail to Reach Any
Definite Conclusion.
The Board of Trade Urges the Adoption
of an Ordinance that Will Bring Gas.
mand for an Exclusive Franchise and
Agrees to Accept Other Changes.

yesterday, as at any time during the free-ior-aii
discussion of the past week. People were over
charged with opinions but it appeared at the end
of the day that after the many months Of aGta-
sion and no gas basis Of concession was as far
away as ever Two meetings were held-one at
the Board of Trade in the morning and the other
in the Council Chamber in the afternoon, from
which something definite was expected. The
fret was a little more satisfactory than the lat
ter which every body thought would be able to
put the question in shape for final action by the
Council last night on the amendments asked for
in it's special ordinance by the Indianapolis Nat
ural-gas Company. The Board of Trade meet
ing limited to consideration of the ques-
ton by the governors of that organization. who
came together in called session at noon. A mis-
understanding got abroad that it was to be
meeting Of citizens; hence the small room of the
governors was packed by persons who represent
ID comprehensively all classes trades and bust
When the governors were ready to proceed,
Mr.. Eidridge introduced resolution to the eff
'ect that q committee of five should be appoint
ID to meet with a committee of citizens to
formulate an organization for the piping of gas
TO the city under the existing ordinance rates
Following this. A. f. Potts and j. b. Conner
presented the plan, the outlines of which have
Ooen
speaking of the large profits which it is claimed
Pittsburg naturalgas companies making.
said the trust organization proposed was prac-
ticable. The Capital City and other local COM
panies. he understood. were willing merge
tn cir gas wells and leases in such enterprise.
taking therefor the trust certificates for the
value of the property. "It is now proposed"
continued Mr.. Conner, ''that all the sub
scribers TO this trust shall confer, in the
conditions OF their subscriptions. the
power upon the governors of the Board of
Trade of appointing three or more com mission
ers of the trust. and their successors. who shall
have the sole power of management for period
of from two to three years. when appointments
shall again be made. This would put the Board
Of Trade. in a very practical and legitimate way,
behind the greatest factor in our prosperity as a
sity that has ever been is likely be
presented. Certainly this ia the chief function
Of the board as IL is now organized The central
idea of the present organization was to consoli-
date the commercial force and moral power of
this city for it's development and prosperity.
Here is an opportunity OK lifetime The moral
power and business ssgacity of this board in the
way suggested will Indorse to investors the
methods of the trust and speedily work practical
results"
said. Our own citizens holding them may
credit the company upon them in gas used from
year to year, in dividends others, and pay
their gas bills. The Capital City company has
formally accepted the rates of the present ordi-
nance for gas TO consumers. and the trust may
avail itself OF this acceptance. When the
tificates paid. dividends to be paid annu-
ally or semi-annually to the original investors in
the ratio of their original investments. When
the original investment certificates are paid gas
.or fuel should be put down to manufacturers at
sost for the benefit, growth and prosperity of the
sity."
Mr.. Potts named certain prominent citizens
who would possibly consent to commits
yioners of the trust. ompetition," he said,
and permanent supply of gas are what the
nanf a inns af- n n nffaro in
opposition to the Indian apolis company any
gas company. All that is wanted is oppor-
unity to present the matter to the people, and
The organizers of the movement are willing to
do the necessary canvassng."
r. b. Martindaie offered a resolution. which
read that il the sense of the board of gov
ernore of the Board of Trade that while
exclusive privilege should be granted by the city
TO any person or corporation In supplying the
city and its inhabitants with natural gas, yet
the schedule of rates fixed in the present ordin-
lnce had proved insufficient to induce the
prompt investment of capital in supplying the
city with gas, that the Council and the Board of
Aldermen be recommended TO Eass the amended
ordinance proposed by the Indianapolis Natural
gas Company, after eliminating the exclusive
features therein. and giving to all other compa-
les the right to supply gas the same terms"
Mr.. Martindale said ali schemes looking to
competition should De recognized. but what the
city wanted was gas Immediately. He was OPP
posed TO hny policy that would shut the city up
like a CLAN. You can't he continued. force
man 10 sell you ANYTHING The gas is corked up.
losing by keeping 1t. All that need to be done
Is to leave competition open. The ordinance is
largely based personal grounds"
Col Eli Lilly moved table the resolution,
saying that he was not ready to nay 81. 80 to-day
for what he can get at 90 cents tomorrow.
Other companies. he said would offer gas by
and by, and the manufacturers were in no hurry.
But D. "A. Richardson, John M Shaw and w. F.
Pel, who large consumers OF coal,
said the manufacturers did want gas soon
rs it could be procured. and for that reason they
favored the Martndale resolution. Mr. Shaw,
who represented Kingan 81 Co., firm that
burned last year 995 car loads of slack coal
cost of $i2, 500, said Doxey computed 10000 cubic
feet of gas a ton of slack at cents per thou
sand. Handling coal, however cost MS much as
about 80 900 per year. The manufacturers, he
thought, ought to be encouraged before house
holders.
N ). Byram said that the plan p-oposed by
Mr.. Conner was as Impracticahle Kennedys
great transcontinental railway. Pittsburg rates
for should not be taken for calculation of !
profits here for the companies of that city had
six times as many customers as all the COM
psnies of Indianapolis could get.
D. P. Ewin said the Indianapolis company
asks the city to throw away all 1t has done, but
the citizens could afford to wait. There was no
assurance, except the $50 per day forfeit, that |
ths Indianapolis company would fulfill its prom
lses. and that, some members of the
paay could afford TO pay 81, 600 per day to keep
yas out Of the city.
Mr. Martindale remark ed that the material in
te-ests OF the city were suffering by being shut
Ee-cocked between gas companies. When the
ordnance, as amended, is passed. 800 men will
be given employ tnent in the streets LAYING mains
The whole opposition grew out of 4 contemplate
personal prejudice.
The governors adopted the Eldridge resolu-
tion. and then took the same action n gu bsti-
tute for the Martndale resolution offered by
John w. Murphy which read:
Whereas 1t is the opinion of this board that it is
important to the city that have natural gas at the
EARLIEST possible time; therefore
Resolved. That the City Council be requested to |
amend the present city ordinance to pay any |
RI 10 sf1T witt MN
ninety DAYS. the prices mentioned in the ordinance
PRESENTED oy the indianapolis Naturagas Company,
The said prices TO continue for three from the
list day OF January next at the expiration of said
hme the amendment here suggested shall cease and
The present ordinance be in force and the prices
therein mentioned shall prevail
The committee provided for in the E.dridge |
resolution consists of John II. Holiday, r. s.
Foster, Z. II. Eldrdge, John w Murphy and |
IhasA LII A